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Connor Hellebuyck's new mask pays tribute to late Dan Snyder (Photos)

Eye Candy Air
Eye Candy Air

Earlier this month, the Winnipeg Jets announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will change his number from 30 to 37 beginning this season. With the switch, Hellebuyck would also honor Dan Snyder, the last player in franchise history to wear No. 37, with a patch on the back of his jersey.

Hellebuyck received the blessing of the Snyder family in making the number change.

On Monday, the Jets revealed Hellebuyck’s mask for the 2016-17 season and it is another tribute to Snyder with two photos of the former Atlanta Thrasher on top and a message to the Snyder family on the backplate:

Eye Candy Air
Eye Candy Air

The mask was painted by Steve Nash of Eye Candy Air.

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Following Snyder’s 2003 death, the Atlanta Thrashers did not hand out the No. 37 to any player, a tradition that continued when the team moved to Winnipeg. They also continued to hand out the Dan Snyder Memorial Award, which is awarded to the player who “best embodies perseverance, dedication and hard work without reward or recognition, so that his team and teammates might succeed.”

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!